The Event: 

• Dordt University is set to host Doane in a conference match this weekend. Start time on Saturday, Oct. 5 is set for 4:15pm and will be played at the Defenders Soccer Complex.
• This is the first match for the Defenders since last Saturday's 1-0 win against Mount Marty on Sept. 28
• Dordt has won two straight and is unbeaten over its last six matches (4-0-2)
• the Defenders are in first place in the current GPAC standings with a 2-0-2 conference record, 4-3-3 overall
• Doane is in 10th place in the GPAC at 1-3, 3-5-2 overall

All-Time:

• Saturday's match will be the 28th in the rivalry, dating back to the 1997 season
• Dordt trails the all-time series 8-16-3
• the Defenders are 2-2-1 in their last five, 2-7- in its last 10 vs Doane
• the teams played to a draw in 1998, 2012 and 2023
• last year, the Defenders played Doane to a 1-1 tie
  • the teams played on Oct.21 in Sioux Center
  • both teams scored their goal in the first half
  • the Defenders netted its goal just 26 seconds into the match (Blake Hansen from Marco Laenen)
  • Doane tied the match on a goal by Guillem Colom during the 28th minute
  • Dordt was outshot 15-9 (9-2 on-goal)
  • Mitchell Dryden made eight saves
  • Samuel Montanez totaled one save
• most goals scored by Dordt - 4 (2x - 1997, 2004)
• most goals given up by Dordt - 6 (2002)
• Dordt has shutout Doane 4x but not since 2010
• the Defenders have been shutout six times by Doane
• the teams played twice in a season in 2004

Around the GPAC: 

•  five matches are on the docket for Saturday:   
  • Doane @ Dordt
  • Mount Marty @ Briar Cliff
  • Concordia @ Dakota Wesleyan
  • Hastings @ Northwestern
  • Midland @ Waldorf
• GPAC Standings:
  • Dordt: 2-0-2 (8pts)
  • Morningside: 2-1-1 (7pts
  • Briar Cliff: 2-1-1 (7pts)
  • Hastings: 2-1-1 (7pts)
  • Northwestern: 2-1 (6pts)
  • Concordia: 1-0-3 (6pts)
  • Midland: 1-1-2 (5pts)
  • Dakota Wesleyan: 1-2 (3pts)
  • Mount Marty: 1-2 (3pts)
  • Doane: 1-3 (3pts)
  • Waldorf: 0-3

In the Rankings:

• Concordia is the lone GPAC team that appears in the latest NAIA Coaches poll; the Bulldogs are receiving votes

Preseason Polls:

• the Defenders were picked to finish sixth of 11 teams in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) poll
• Doane was picked ninth of 11 teams

Schedule Outlook:

• at the mid-point of the GPAC slate, Saturday's match will be the fifth for the Defenders in conference play
• eight teams qualify for the GPAC Tournament, beginning on Nov.5 with the quarterfinals
• the GPAC Championship will be on Nov.13
• 2024 Schedule | 

Scouting Report on Doane:

• 2024 record: 1-3 (10th in GPAC), 3-5-2 overall
  • last time out:
    • defeated Waldorf 6-0 at home on Saturday, Sept. 28
    • outshot the Warriors 30-7, 19-4 on-goal
    • Doane scored three goals in each half
    • Ameer Madden and Luis Rejano Candau led the Tigers with two goals scored 
    • Samuel Montanez (3-3) made three saves in 68 minutes to earn the win
• Head Coach:Tony Odorisio (4th year)
  • 1st year - 2021
  • sixth head coach in program history
  • previously served as the head coach for Iowa Wesleyan (2016-20)
  • was an assistant at Bellevue
  • standout playing career for Creighton
• 2023 Record:  
  • 1-5-5 (T10th in GPAC), 3-7-7 overall
  • did not qualify for the postseason
• return six starters, 15 players
  • return two all-conference players and top goalie
  • picked ninth in the GPAC preseason poll
• by the numbers (based on 2024 stats)
  • goals scored: 15 (1.5 / match - T6th in GPAC) 
  • goals against: 27 (2.7 / match -10th in GPAC) 
• Key Players (Honors / 2024 stats)
  • Ameer Madden (all-conference) - 4 goals (T4th), 5 assists (T1st)
  • Guillem Colom (all-conference) - 2 goals
  • Luis Rejano Candau - 2 goals
  • Hugo Santos - 2 goals
  • Samuel Montanez - 3-3 record, 2.87 GAA, 60 saves (2nd)

Defenders News and Notes:

• 2024 record: 2-0-2 (1st in GPAC), 4-3-3 overall
  • won two straight, unbeaten in last six matches (4-0-2)
  • last time out: def. Mount Marty 1-0 (Sept.28)
    • Phil Appelt scored the game-winner during the 80th minute, assisted by Tyson Reitsma
    • Mitchell Dryden made two saves and earned his second shutout of the season
• Head Coach: Eric Bourdo (2nd year)
  • spent four years as ass't at Dordt prior to being named head coach
• 2023 record: 9-7-4 overall, 5-4-2 (6th place) in GPAC
  • lost to Northwestern, 4-3 (2 OT), in GPAC semi's
• return seven starters, 17 players
  • three all-conference players return
  • 27 of 56 goals scored, 20 of 43 assists, return
  • #1 goalie returns
• 2024, by the numbers:
  • goals scored: 15, 1.5 / match (T6th in GPAC)
  • assists: 11 (6th in GPAC)
  • goals allowed: 17, 1.7 / match (5th in GPAC)
  • saves: 50 (8th)
• Defender Notes:
  • the Defenders have qualified for the GPAC postseason tournament two consecutive seasons
  • Stats Leaders / GPAC rankings:
    • Jacob Narkis - 4 goals, 2 assists
    • Marco Laenen (all-conference) - 4 goals
    • Phil Appelt (all-conference-in 2022) - 2 goals
    • Trigve Elkins - 1 goal, 2 assists
    • Arnau Gonzalez (all-conference)
    • Mitchell Dryden (2x all-conference) - 4-3-2 record, 42 saves, 1.72 GAA
  • last time Dordt recorded a shutout:
    • vs Mount Marty (Sept.28)
  • last time Dordt was shutout:
    • vs Grand View (August 30, 2024)
  • Dordt is unbeaten over its last six matches (4-0-2)
  • Dordt has scored at least one goal in six straight matches
  • Defenders are celebrating Senior Day this weekend
    • Phil Appelt
    • Santiago Carvajal
    • Arnau Gonzalez
    • Juan Ospina
    • Ryan Reyes
    • Mitchell Dryden (5th year, was recognized last year)